The thing he valued most

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man who used to live next door. College, girls, career, life

itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit
of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to
think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was
working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The
funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old
newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you
hear me?" "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since
I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,"
Jack said. "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how
you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of
the fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he
lived in," Jack said. "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr.
Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life,"
she said. "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I
wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time
teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the
funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his
hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of
his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the
old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a
moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space
and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories.

Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly. "What's
wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said.
"What box? " Mom asked. "There was a small gold box that he kept
locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was
inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said. It
was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except
for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now
I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better
get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one
day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a
package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next
three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked
like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to
read, but the return address caught his attention."Mr. Harold Belser"
it read.
Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was
the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett.
It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the
letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked
the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his
fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he
found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! Harold
Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time." Jack held the watch for a
few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next
two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time
to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for
your time!"


Thank you all for your time!!

http://www.tripleclicks.com/12392488/pbgw

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Comments

  • Thank you Julie appreciate your kind comment

  • This is a beautiful story Mercutio!  Thank you so much for sharing it.  I have done the same.

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